Page 126 of Flirty Dancing

“Should we change?” Archer whispered, for some reason reluctant to disturb the silence.

“Nah.” Mateo led him up the stairs to the stage and kicked his flip-flops off, then tossed his shirt. “Gimme a second to get the music ready.”

Archer similarly stripped down to his shorts.

Mateo turned on a single stage light, then the music began, quieter than normal, just loud enough for them to hear. It was not the same pas de deux they had performed thirty times before this summer. It was a little looser, more dreamlike, their smiles and lines gentle in the white light. When it was over, they hugged, breathing in the stage together one last time.

“That was beautiful.” The voice came out of the shadows.

Archer whirled. A man with a vaguely familiar face was making his way down the aisle of the theater.

That’s not—

“Breckon Galloway,” the man said, stopping below them. “Nice to meet you, Archer, Mateo. My niece has been telling me all about you two all summer.”

Archer’s jaw dropped. “W—Yourniece?”

Breckon turned to wave at somebody who was lurking at the back in the shadows. The shadow began moving toward them. A blond shadow.

“Betty?”

Betty waved sheepishly. “Hi.”

Archer and Mateo shared a confounded look, then Archer turned back to Betty. “This is youruncle?”

“Yep.”

“Why—why didn’t you tell us?”

“Oh, you know, the old cliché. Wanted to make it on my own, et cetera.”

Archer’s jaw hung open for a second before a question occurred to him. “How did you know we’d be here?”

“I had a feeling. Plus, Breckon saw you go in and texted me.”

Archer turned his attention to Breckon. “We’re sorry we missed the finale, our friend—”

“Yes, Betty told me. I’m sorry to hear that. She’s doing well now?”

“Thankfully. She’ll be okay.”

“What a relief. You know, I actually caught the performance last night, too.”

“You did?”

“Mm-hmm. You’re both stunning, and your chemistry? Insane.” He paused, studying them for a moment, thengave a small nod. “It just so happens, I’m casting my next show in September, and you two would be perfect for it.”

Archer choked on his tongue while Breckon pulled two business cards out of his wallet, reaching up to hand one to each of them. “Send my assistant an email with your contact information. I want to make sure you’re at the auditions.”

“We will,” Archer rasped. “Thank you, Mr. Galloway.”

“Call me Breckon.” He paused and examined Mateo for a moment. “I sawRobin’s Eggtwice. You have a gift. Broadway has missed you.”

Mateo gulped. “Thank you, sir.”

Breckon nodded. “We’ll talk soon.”

Betty winked at them as she followed Breckon back up the aisle. The sound of the door swinging closed echoed back at them.

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